DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY COMMANDING OFFICER FIGHTER SQUADRON TWO UNIT Subj: SUBMISSION OF FITRON TWO 2000 COMMAND HISTORY REPORT

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1 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY COMMANDING OFFICER FIGHTER SQUADRON TWO UNIT From: Commanding Officer, Fighter Squadron TWO To: Chief of Naval Operations (OP-0502) IN REPLY REFER TO. FPO AE Ser MAR 01 Subj: SUBMISSION OF FITRON TWO 2000 COMMAND HISTORY REPORT Ref: (a) OPNAVINST Encl: (1) Fighter Squadron TWO Command Data (2) Commanding Officer's Biography (3) Executive Officer's Biography (4) 2000 Chronology (5) 2000 Narrative (6) Annual Aviation Awards Data for 2000 (7) Photograph of Squadron Aircraft 1. Enclosures (1) through (7) are submitted as directed by reference (a).

2 COMMAND DATA Commanding Officer: Kelly B. Baragar, Commander, U.S. Navy Executive Officer: Andrew S. Whitson, Commander, US. Navy Senior Administrative Conunand: Commander Fighter Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Senior Operational Command: Commander Carrier Airwing TWO I. Squadron mission: To provide combat ready aircraft and aircrew capable of performing any air-to-air or air-to-ground mission when called upon. VF-2 is dedicated to maintaining the highest tactical proficiency possible by always training and evaluating each of its aircrew. Mission capable aircraft are provided by the constant upkeep and grooming performed by hard working maintenance personnel. Bullet aircrew in their F-14D Tomcat will always be ready to go into harms way. 11. Aircraft: Grumman F- 1 4D Bureau numbers: 111. Duty Station: When Ashore: Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia When deployed: USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64)

3 2000 CHRONOLOGY January February March April May June July August September October November December TACP, NAS Oceana, Virginia Missile Exercise, NAS Oceana, Virginia Air-to-Air Gun Exercise - NAS Key West, FL Air-to-Ground Guns COMPEX Air-to-Air COMPEX, NAS Key West, FL Turn Around Training - NAS Oceana, VA Air-to-Air SFARP - NAS Oceana, VA Air-to-Ground SFARP - NAS Fallon, NV FAC (A) Detachment - NAS Fallon, NV Missile Exercise - NAS Fallon, NV FASTIEW Derby Air-to-Ground SFARP - NAS Fallon, NV FITRON TWO Change of Command Air-to-Ground WTO TSTA USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) TSTA USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) C2X - USS Constellation (CV-64) C2X/FBP - USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) SLATSIAIMC - NAS Fallon, NV CVW-2 Combined Detachment - NAS Fallon, NV FAC (A) Training Detachment - NAS Fallon, NV CVW-2 Combined Detachment - NAS Fallon, NV FAC (A) Training Detachment - NAS Fallon, NV

4 2000 NARRATIVE The "Bounty Hunters" of Fighter Squadron Two began the "Millennium" by jumping into turn-around training with little time off after WESTPAC With only fifteen months between deployments every day of 2000 was critical. The "Bounty Hunters" had to transit cross-country several times to participate in exercises such as Airto-Ground Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program, Tailored Ships Training Availability and Competitive Training Unit Excercise. Between the treks across the country the Bullets found time to make several modifications to the aircraft, which included Fast Tactical Imagery (FTI), Night Vision Device (NVD) lighting, Tough Wing, and Digital Flight Controls Systems (DFCS). To add to this arduous cycle the "Bounty Hunters" passed the reigns to Commander Kelly "Booger" Baragar and welcomed the new Executive Officer Commander Andrew "Slim" Whitson. Arduous training cycles and advanced Aiming exercises took up most of the Bounty Hunter's time through the end of the year. Fighting Two's first detachment after returning from WESTPAC 99 led them to the sunny seashore and blue skies of Key West, FL. This was no walk on the beach though, as the Bounty Hunters accomplished unprecedented Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM) training and even showed a few Air Force F-15 Eagles that the Navy's Super Tomcat is a most worthy competitor. The Bounty Hunter's achievements during the past year were recognized in the first quarter of 2000 when they were awarded the Commander Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E") and the Chief of Naval Operations Safety "S" awards. After a short period at home in Virginia Beach the Bullets spread their assets around the country maximizing their training opportunities and readiness. Some of the squadron remained in Virginia Beach preparing for an Aircraft Maintenance Command Inspection, while other shipmates headed west to Fallon in support of a SFTI detachment with Top Gun that continued the entire month of April and into May. Aircrew continued.their rigorous training schedule qualifying several new sections leads. The month of June the Bounty Hunters completed Air-to-Air SFARP at NAS Oceana, VA. In July VF-2 participated in a missile exercise and aircrew FAC (A) training in Fallon, NV. The "Bounty Hunters" soon left home for a few weeks to participate in an Air-to- Ground SFARP detachment in Fallon, Nevada. The two weeks in Nevada allowed the Bullets to work with other squadrons of Air Wing Two in executing several large scale strikes and getting an edge-up before heading out to the USS CONSTELLATION (CV - 64). These strikes proved the capabilities of the F-14D including its precision munitions delivery capability using the LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation Target Infrared for Night) targeting pod. Bullet maintenance continued working overtime modifling the jets with Digital Flight Control Systems (DFCS) and other modifications that provided the best Tomcats in the fleet. DFCS provides improved handling characteristics during ACM and carrier landings. The 25th of August marked the Bounty Hunter's 42nd change of command. CDR Kelly B. Baragar relieved CDR Randy 0. Parrish as the squadron's Commanding Officer and "Bullet One". Stepping in as Executive Officer was CDR Andrew S. Whitson.

5 In September the Bounty Hunters set off for San Diego for a six week detachment aboard the USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64). While aboard, VF-2 and CVW-2 participated in CQ, TSTA I1 and 111, and COMPTUEX. Also during this at sea period, the CONSTELLATION made a four day port visit to San Francisco during Fleet Week. During TSTA the Bounty Hunters organized and led a three day missile exercise. A total of 21 missiles were shot from F-14s and FIA-18s, making it the largest missile exercise CVW-2 has ever participated in. During COMPTUEX and the Final Battle Problem (FBP) the Bullets were key in several integrated Air Wing Strikes and Area Defense Exercises (ADEX). Time and time again the Bounty Hunters demonstrated their tactical abilities and proficiency. At the end of November VF-2 went back to Fallon to join CVW-2 during a three week Air Wing training exercise. VF-2, along with the other squadrons of CVW-2, planned and executed many integrated Air Wing strikes. Once again these strikes proved the lethality of the F-14D Tomcat. While in Fallon, VF-2 also conducted FAC (A) training qualifying three crews as Airborne Forward Air Controllers. Aside from maintaining the finest F-14 aircraft in the fleet, the Bounty Hunters also managed to maintain a keen sense of community awareness. Participating in the Adopt-A-School program, the Bounty Hunters adopted SeaTack Elementary School, Virginia Beach VA, This school was selected due to its enormous number of "at risk" students and children from single parent homes. Numerous sailors and officers from the squadron donated their time and energy to the school helping teachers by participating in mentorship's, guest lectures, motivational speaking, and counseling. Completing 10 detachments ashore and afloat, the Bounty Hunters logged more than 2200 flight hours and over 1500 sorties. Providing combat ready aircraft, the Bullets successfully shot six live missiles, dropped more than 25 Laser Guided Training Bombs and expended a variety of other ordnance. In addition, VF-2 executed more than 40 Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod, LANTIRN, and Fast Tactical Imagery missions.

6 ANNUAL AVIATION AWARDS DATA FOR Per reference (a), the following data is submitted: a. OPERATIONS: (1) Sorties - 1,502 Total, 1,280 Day, 222 Night. (2) Hours - 2,266.9 Total, 1,862.7 Day, Night. (3) Sorties Embarked -340 Total, 275 Day, 65 Night. (4) Hours Embarked Total, Day, Night. (5) CV Landings Total, 270 Day, 134 Night. (6) Landing Grades Overall, Day, Night. (7) Boarding Rate % Overall, 94.3% Day, 88.4% Night. (8) Ordnance Expenditures - 6 Air-to-Air. 35 Air-to-Ground. 975 Expendables. b. SAFETY: (1) Total number of reports submitted - 25 Total, 0 HAZREPS, 0 NAMDRIP. (2) Number of articles submitted - 1 Total, 0 Pro-of-the-Week, 1 Safety. (3) Dates of squadron safety stand downs - 10JAN00, 05MAY00, 120CT00. (4) Number of NATOPS changes submitted - 2 (5) Class A Mishap-Free Flight Hours 1 Years - 32,652.8 hours / 9 years.